102 years old, ‘and we are resilient’

‘Not every town has angels like these. Camden is so fortunate’ – Barbara F. Dyer

Mon, 09/25/2023 - 08:03

Lynda Clancy

Camden Area District Nursing Association: Bottom row, left to right, Executive Director Judy Lydon; board members Amy Rollins, Nancy Dowling, Julie Clement; second row: Hillary Jackson and Elaine Davis; third row, Debra Orosz-Seibel, Pam Brown and Nancy Walker; top row, Rickey Celentano, Jesse Bifulco, Dave Hague, Byron Haining III and John Long. (Photo by Lynda Clancy)

Camden Area District Nursing Association Director Judith Lydon speaks Sept. 21 to a crowd at the Megunticook Golf Club in Rockport at the organization’s Celebration of a Century gathering. (Photo by Lynda Clancy)

Board members and friends gather at the Megunticook Golf Club to celebrate Camden Area District Nursing Association, Sept. 21.

CADNA Board President Elaine Davis encourages involvement of the community in the future of the nonprofit.

Peter Palermo, Camden, and CADNA board Member Amy Rollins, of Camden.

CADNA Board Member Jesse Bifulco.

Harriet DeHoff, of Camden, the daughter of Frances Grassrow Thomas, a founding CADNA nurse. (Photo by Lynda Clancy)

Gerry Simonton, former CADNA board member, with her daughters Nancy Carlton and Sue Wootton. (Photo by Lynda Clancy)

Former board members Gerry Simonton with Herb and Grace Annis, all of Rockport. (Photo by Lynda Clancy)

Carl Chipman and Jeff Lord.

Nancy and Clarence Keller, of Hope.

Daniel and Keiran Lydon

Fran Sims, Judy Lydon and Lisa Payson

Sarah Ruef-Lindquist, Peter Lindquist and Faith Hague, of Camden.

Becky Brace.

Pam Brown, of Rockport, and Nancy Dowling, of Hope, both CADNA board members.

Judy Lydon and Sara Adams, at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, when CADNA was asked to leave Quarry Hill offices, and the team subsequently set up shop in the parking lot.

Fran Sims and Judith Lydon talk with Lisa Payson, at their parking lot office.

Judy and Bob Oxton, with David Urquia.

Rickey And Alison Bixler

Board members and friends gather at the Megunticook Golf Club to celebrate Camden Area District Nursing Association, Sept. 21.

CADNA Board President Elaine Davis encourages involvement of the community in the future of the nonprofit.

Peter Palermo, Camden, and CADNA board Member Amy Rollins, of Camden.

CADNA Board Member Jesse Bifulco.

Harriet DeHoff, of Camden, the daughter of Frances Grassrow Thomas, a founding CADNA nurse. (Photo by Lynda Clancy)

Gerry Simonton, former CADNA board member, with her daughters Nancy Carlton and Sue Wootton. (Photo by Lynda Clancy)

Former board members Gerry Simonton with Herb and Grace Annis, all of Rockport. (Photo by Lynda Clancy)

Carl Chipman and Jeff Lord.

Nancy and Clarence Keller, of Hope.

Daniel and Keiran Lydon

Fran Sims, Judy Lydon and Lisa Payson

Sarah Ruef-Lindquist, Peter Lindquist and Faith Hague, of Camden.

Becky Brace.

Pam Brown, of Rockport, and Nancy Dowling, of Hope, both CADNA board members.

Judy Lydon and Sara Adams, at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, when CADNA was asked to leave Quarry Hill offices, and the team subsequently set up shop in the parking lot.

Fran Sims and Judith Lydon talk with Lisa Payson, at their parking lot office.

Judy and Bob Oxton, with David Urquia.

Rickey And Alison Bixler

ROCKPORT — Camden Area District Nursing Association recognized its 100th-plus anniversary with a Celebration of a Century, Sept. 21, drawing together citizens who work to keep the backbone of the community strong and healthy.

“We’re old-fashioned, hands-on nursing, and we are there when you need us,” said Judith Lydon, executive director of Camden Area District Nursing Association (CADNA), speaking to a room full of citizens who had gathered at the Megunticook Golf Club in Rockport to recognize the organization, and help propel it forward into its next 100 years.

“In the past, the Camden community has stood by Camden District Nursing, but the new people that have come here now may not know anything about us,” said Board President Elaine Davis.

She appealed to those in attendance to help reinforce the efforts of CADNA.

“You are town managers, select board members, fire department representatives, police department, American Legion members,” she said. “Some of you belong to the three different rotaries in town, the Masonic Lodge, the Lions Club, the doctors, lawyers, ministers, therapists, members from different churches, hospice and palliative care people, people who have used our services, new community members, and past board members.”

The celebration took place on a golden September evening, with CADNA staff, board members and friends settling into chairs and tables in the main room, or spilling onto the porch, relaxing in rockers and enjoying the last of the warm summer air.

What is Camden Area District Nursing Association

Organized in 1920 by local citizens, the mission of the Camden Area District Nursing Association is to serve the towns of Camden, Rockport, Lincolnville and Hope by offering nursing services to patients in their homes, allowing them to age in place in their own homes.

In 2020, the Town of Camden dedicated its annual report to CADNA.

“Camden has always been blessed with many residents and visitors who are generous with their time, ideas, and money,” said the town, in its dedication. “Often, these individuals join forces to form organizations which continue for a long time, but seldom is a community so fortunate to have an organization that lasts so long nor contributes so much as the Camden Area District Nursing Association.”

Camden Town Historian Barbara F. Dyer had written the following:

On October 10, 1920, a thoughtful, caring group of ladies met at the YMCA, under the leadership of Miss Mary Annis. Their purpose was to a have a Public Health Nurse for anyone, who need their kin services.

Although their history is long and services varied, we should appreciate the ladies who started it: Mrs. J.F. Hooper, Miss Emily Jaegels, Miss Mary Bartlett, Mrs. J.F. Knowlton, Mrs. E.N. Duffy, Miss Alice Messinger, Mrs.T.G. Ritterbush and Miss Emma Halford.

The first nurse, Helen Cobb, was hired on February 1, 1921 for $100 per month. They chose not to be under the jurisdiction of the Red Cross or Knox County Health Association but did attend public meetings in Rockland.

As Camden did not have a hospital until 1925, the District Nurse did obstetrics, deliveries, pre and post, as well as instructions for care.

The District Nurses during these years included Madolin Richards, Frances (Grassrow) Thomas. Miss Rose Blake, and Miss Olive Shadie. They included welfare for outlying districts, distributed clothing, food and sometime fuel for the needy. Miss Shadie used the backseat of her car for equipment and an office. Then Miss Mildred Chandler was next, assisted by Louise Ogier.

When Dorothy (Dolly) Green came on in 1929, when we were well into the Depression years. I remember that all the school children had a yearly check on their eyes, ear, nose, teeth, tonsils, physicals and birth registration. All were given a small carton of milk and that was so good, as well as a spoonful of cod liver oil, which was just awful. I think it was supposed to prevent rickets, but I never knew anyone who had rickets.

Mrs. Florence Quimby Pitcher was on from 1934 to 1943 (and again in later years). In her spare time, she was made available as a scrub nurse for surgeons, when needed in the hospital. Their number of house calls increased each year and she was also a part time school nurse. That was when the town added $700 to the coffers. Allura Pitcher substituted for the four months that Florence was doing so much in 1942, due to World War 2, and had to remain as school nurse. Allura Pitcher continued as District Nurse until 1964.

By 1947 the District Nurse actually had a one room office on the second floor of the Opera House and the fee for a visit was still fifty cents, or a the most one dollar.

They held food sales, donation drives and card games to make money for nurses to make the increasing number of visits to the elderly, school children and were now giving allergy shots.

A full time school nurse was hired in 1949, as the District visits grew by leaps and bounds. In 1960, they were given a three room office in the new hospital on Elm Street and individuals and town organizations donated equipment and money. Many of the aging were eligible for Medicare and Kno-Wal-Lin came into the picture. Salk vaccine became available in 1957, so Polio clinics were held.

Kathleen Gerrish became school nurse in 1967, that gave the District Nurse more time for all her duties that kept increasing and a dental clinic and tonsil clinic. She also spent time in Thomaston and Lincolnville helping to organize health programs.

Nursing trends changed again and in 1974 Linda Karod came on.

The District Nurse took care of patients discharged from the hospital, helping families and patients to be cared for at home.

Three years later Carolyn Overlock’s duties expanded to preventative health care, as well as Linda B. Annis continued in district nursing and the District Nurses were unable to preventative health care, as well. Linda B. Annis continued in district nursing and the District Nurses were unable to continue with Medicare and Medicaid nursing calls as Kno-Wal-Lin were handling them. So new services were being explored.

In 1989, Barbara Forti became the District Nurse, continuing the vital home health care needs.

In 1992 Carolyn Overlock Birbank returned to be full time District Nurse and Gerry Simonton has assisted on a part time basis to keep up with the home care visits.

We also had the services of Anne Feeney, Elizabeth Doyle, Cathy Gottshalk, Donna Johnson, Gerry Simonton, and Fran Finn.

Also, our Latin Teacher for three generations at Camden High School, Bertha Clason, spent many years of dedication to the Association as Secretary and Treasurer for 45 years, but also it was her lifelong dream that needs of the people in her community would be met.

Presently, Judith Lydon is the Nursing Director, with per diem nurses and assistants.

Their office is on the top floor of Quarry Hill, serving Camden, Rockport, Lincolnville and Hope. How this wonderful organization has managed to exist for 100 years with no real funding is a miracle, but I think I know the answer.

It is because they had such dedicated workers, officers and Board of Directors who carry on. They charge only if the person can afford it and care for anyone who cannot.

Donations are made by generous people, who know the Camden Area District Nursing Association is there and needed, by many, often.

They have always been my favorite charity and I have needed them the last two years. I have always known about them and have lived in Camden almost as long as they have.

They need your support to continue to fulfill their mission of providing great nursing care to patients in their homes, regardless of ability to pay.

Not every town has “angels” like these. Camden is so fortunate.

Barbara F. Dyer
Town Historian

“Camden Area District Nursing Association is 102, and we are resilient,” said Lydon, who has been director for the past 14 years.

She gave a brief nod to the Covid pandemic, which disrupted the team of CADNA nurses – but not their work – when they were suddenly booted from their Quarry Hill Retirement Community offices in Camden as the shutdown occurred.

For a time, CADNA operated from the Quarry Hill parking lot before the team temporarily relocated to an office on Chestnut Street. Now, however, they are settled into a new office suite at 87 Elm Street in Camden.

“We are moving forward,” Lydon said, and in a place where the public can again be encouraged to drop in, whether they are patients, or family members seeking help to take care of their aging parents and grandparents.

“There are about 50 sets of grandparents I take care of,” laughed Lydon. “We love our work and we are passionate about it.”

That work includes helping chronically ill and elderly citizens of all income levels in the Camden, Rockport, Lincolnville and Hope area, as well as those who have been denied service because they are not homebound or classified as needing skilled care.

Home-care services ranges from help with bathing, to checking blood pressure and conducting wellness checks, giving injections, drawing blood for lab work, helping with medications, and foot care.

CADNA now has room at its new offices to store, and loan, walkers, wheelchairs, crutches and other medical equipment.

“I’m excited after three years to open the invitation back to the community to drop in for visiting hours,” said Lydon.

Drop-in hours are scheduled for Mondays and Thursdays, from 1 to 3 p.m.

“Come and discuss health concerns, get blood pressure checked, or discuss elderly relatives,” she said.

Lisa Payson, CADNA office manager, initially toured the space last spring with Lydon, Board President Davis, and Treasurer Debra Orosz- Seibel. They all agreed it would be ideal.

“Our new accommodations are exactly the right fit for CADNA,” Payson said. “Easy access to the building, which has proven itself with more foot traffic, as well as prospective clients/patients. The need to borrow durable medical equipment has increased dramatically in the last six months due to access and insurance requirements/restrictions.”

Plus, there is plenty of parking, an elevator to the upstairs office, and room to help patients.

At the Sept. 21 celebration, board members urged the community to help support CADNA.

“These people who are on the board have been doing good work for so many years,” said board member Jesse Bifulco, of Camden.

He noted the strength of a community is illustrated by how caring people are of one another, especially the older generation.

It is a reciprocal partnership, between the caregivers and those who are keeping the community running — the town managers, select board members, lawyers, doctors, firefighters and police — all those mentioned earlier by Davis.

“We’re here to serve and you are there to give us a helping hand,” said Lydon.

For more information about CADNA, visit camdendistrictnursing.org, or email distnursing@yahoo.com.